Turlock robber targets elderly man

A Turlock man is facing a robbery charge after he tried to take a ring from an 80-year-old man.

Joseph Martinez, 28, allegedly tried to rob the elderly man of a gold-colored ring and his money Sunday in the 500 block of Lander Avenue. The victim was injured in the robbery, according to the Turlock Police Department.

Martinez reportedly grabbed the man and pulled him into an alley, where he tried to pull the ring off the man’s finger. In his attempt, Martinez pulled the 80-year-old man to the ground.

Witnesses in the area called the police and tried to stop the attack. Martinez fled from the scene, according to the police report.

Martinez returned to the area a short time later and confronted one of the witnesses, who had to use a tire iron to defend himself, the police reported. Officers arrived and took Martinez into custody on a robbery charge.

The 80-year-old man was treated at the scene by emergency personnel for scrapes, abrasions and other non-life threatening injuries.